More coastal razor clam digs begin Friday, and plenty more could happen in the foreseeable future

The coastal razor clam season has been a highlight to the shorter days that come with winter, and with digging set to begin this Friday (Jan. 30) state Fish and Wildlife also plans to have more days heading into spring.

“It was pretty good digging (Jan. 17-24) when the weather cooperated,” said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager. “The next series of digs should offer some late afternoon daylight digging, and hopefully have some clams for celebration before Sunday’s (Super Bowl) game.”

Digging will be open at Long Beach and Twin Harbors from Friday (Jan. 30) through Feb. 6; Mocrocks is open Friday (Jan. 30) to Sunday (Feb. 1); and Copalis will be open Saturday (Jan. 31) only. Digging is allowed each day from noon to midnight only.

Another proposed dig is set for Feb. 15-22 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors; Feb. 20-22 at Mocrocks; and Feb. 21 at Copalis.

“We are hoping to announce some March dates after the February digs, and offer some dates that coincide with the (Ocean Shores) Razor Clam Festival,” Ayres said. “We are also looking at April digs, and possibly have enough clams to get well into May as well.”

The most recent digs from Jan. 17-24 saw 7,085 diggers at Long Beach with 104,176 clams for an average of 14.7 clams per person (the first 15 clams regardless of size or condition is a daily limit); 6,142 at Twin Harbors with 78,302 for 12.7; 2,404 at Copalis on Jan. 17 with 29,344 for 12.2; and 4,247 on Jan. 17-18 with 53,521 at Copalis for 12.6.

Since the season began on Oct. 7 a total of 147,770 diggers took home more than 1.9-million razor clams. The season average is 12.8 at Long Beach; 13.3 at Twin Harbors; 12.2 at Copalis; and 13.2 at Mocrocks.

About the author

A Seattle native, Mark Yuasa is a lifelong angler who grew up near the banks of Lake Washington and has been covering fishing and outdoors for more than 21 years for The Seattle Times. Read his regular fishing report every Thursday and the outdoor notebook every Sunday.